April 1, 2008

“SOLDIER’S EXPERIENCE” VIDEO SHOWING SET
University student board member Jeremiah Peterson said he would show the video story of his tour of duty in Iraq. It will be shown April 15, 6:30 p.m., at the university’s Coffman Memorial Union Theater.

LETTER TO SUPPORT EAST ROUTE FOR “MISSING LINK”
The board voted in favor of sending a letter to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) in “strong support” of the east route proposed for the MPRB’s Grand Rounds parkway “missing link.” The MPRB’s Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) recommended the route. The recommendation is expected to be on the Park Board’s agenda in May.

The route would follow Industrial Boulevard, 29th Ave., across the rail yard, and along 27th Avenue through Prospect Park. Earlier routes proposed would have been located closer to the center of the neighborhood and would have required removal of approximately 30 houses.

Board President Wendy Menken said the vote by the CAC to recommend the east route was close. Menken said it will probably take 20 years to obtain the land and that she would anticipate adjustments.

Board and CAC member Connie Sullivan said owners of industrial businesses along the east route “are up in arms” about the potential impact. “If the neighborhood wants that route, rather than taking houses, then we should support that route,” Sullivan said. Board member Tedd Johnson said about 12 commercial buildings would need to be acquired. Sullivan said the Park Board could start by buying vacant buildings.

Wendy Menken said the board has wanted to work with the businesses and perhaps help some move back. An “eco-business park” is one of the options being considered for development along the parkway route, she noted.

Board member Jeff Haberer, the other SECIA representative to the CAC, said the MPRB is considering four options for development of up to 80 acres for parkland along the route. The options for a Como Park are a cultural arts park, eco business park, formal gardens, or alternative sports, which would include an indoor skate board park. At the south end, a Granary Park would provide a wetland park. Haberer said an eco-business park could bring some tax revenue back.

Route maps and park design proposals can be seen at: www.minneapolisparks.org. Click on Missing Link, Project Maps, and Presentation and Support Materials.

Sullivan said the Park Board would not be bound by the CAC route recommendation. “The wild card is the Park Board,” she said. In addition, a couple of legislators want the route to follow 19th Avenue, she noted.

Sullivan also said the St. Anthony Park Community Council neighborhood organization is “against anything that comes close to Kasota Ponds.” The ponds are part of wetlands at Highway 280 and Kasota Ave./Energy Park Dr. Sullivan said, “We want to maintain good relations with our sister organization.”

In addition, Sullivan and Haberer said they received “a very powerful document” from the Northeast neighborhood’s Windom Park Citizens in Action (WPCiA) Neighborhood Association.

The association’s Stinson Parkway Task Force passed a resolution opposing a proposed bicycle path on Stinson Parkway, which is part of the Grand Rounds parkway system. It submitted the resolution to the CAC.

“The prospect of a bicycle path on Stinson Parkway, either on a grassy median or in front of the homes, came as a stunning surprise to most Windom park residents,” the document stated. “A bicycle path is not an amenity, nor is the replacement of mature tress with new ones,” the statement added. It also raised concerns about safety of bicyclists traveling in increased vehicle traffic, and which is going at higher speeds.

“It’s a problem of non-communication,” Sullivan said.

U ALLIANCE MAY SEEK TO STANCH LOSS OF HOME OWNERSHIP

The demonstration project to be selected soon by the University District Partnership Alliance may seek to address the loss of home ownership in university neighborhoods. The Alliance, composed of university neighborhoods, the university, and the city, was created in 2007 to stabilize and improve area homes and businesses. The Legislature appropriated $750,000 to be used to set up the Alliance and to conduct a demonstration project, then make a report to the Legislature in January 2009. The Alliance would plan to seek about $30 million in state funding to establish an endowment to fund the partnership.

Ward 2 Council Member Cam Gordon said the Alliance would select a demonstration project on April 17. For Alliance information, see: www.community.umn.edu/alliance.

The goal for the demonstration project would be to “stanch the bleeding,” Alliance committee member Katie Fournier told the board. In the four Alliance neighborhoods, 366 properties were converted from ownership to rental between 200 and 2007, Fournier said. The causes include death of the owner, accident, or illness, when the house had to be sold quickly, she said.

The project would enroll interested homeowners in a specific area. The Alliance would have the first chance to buy a house at a fair market value to ensure the property would remain owner-occupied, Fournier said. It would, therefore, build confidence that it would remain a homeowner area. The project would ask the Southeast Seniors organization to suggest prospective homeowners for enrollment, she said. A sale would be a bargain because there would be no real estate agent fee. Also, the Alliance could pay $3,000 to each enrolled owner in compensation for enrollment limitations.

“So a house wouldn’t be sold to an investor or a parent?” board member Connie Sullivan asked. “Right,” Fournier said.

Fournier said the likely funding or fiscal partner would be the Greater Metropolitan Housing Corporation (GMHC), a non-profit organization. The project would also help homeowners to stay in their home as long as possible by connecting them to services. For instance, GMHC operates the Gentle Transitions program in Roseville with Ramsey County. “It’s a very nice, well thought-out program,” Fournier said.

The Alliance website would list houses for sale and offer information and assistance to prospective buyers. The project would also market housing to employees in the district “with the idea they will live where they work,” Fournier said.

Fournier said project ideas also include commercial property improvements. In addition, West Bank property owners are “interested in defending their homes from acquisition by the hospitals,” she said.

“GREEN VILLAGE” ENVISIONED, PARTNERSHIP CONSIDERED
Board President Wendy Menken reported that the environment committee held a planning meeting that envisioned a “Green Village” approach, activities, and grant seeking. A partnership with the St. Anthony Park Community Council was considered.

PEGGY BOOTH RECOGNIZED
The board voted to send a letter of appreciation to Peggy Booth for her work as long-term chair of the environment committee. Booth also chaired SE Como’s original NRP committee.

“GREEN VILLAGE” KICK-OFF, BEAUTIFUL U DAY SET APRIL 17
Neighborhood Coordinator James De Sota reported there would be an event April 17 at Van Cleve Park to kick-off the next phase of SECIA’s “Green Village” project. The event will be held 3 to 5 p.m., with a 6 p.m. bike trailer workshop.

The kick-off is in conjunction with the university’s annual Beautiful U Day. De Sota said the event is supported by the McKnight Foundation, NRP, and Beautiful U Day. The Green Village project works toward control of storm water run-off, to increase renewable energy use, and seeks to reduce reliance on inefficient fuel-consuming vehicles, according to an announcement.

De Sota said SE Como residents would be able to obtain a Solar Motion Light for under $10 at the event. Activities will include a bike trailer demonstration, an eco-resource fair, and information about Xcel Energy’s WindSource program. See the SECIA website for Green Village information.

“WHAT’S IN YOUR WALLS” SET APRIL 23
De Sota said the History Group on April 23 would hold a grand unveiling of a “time capsule of information from 1927.” The “What’s In Your Walls” meeting will be start at 7 p.m., Van Cleve Park.

The group will examine 1927 newspapers pulled from the walls of a recently remodeled home. The newspapers were used for insulation. Curious items pulled from other walls will include turn of the century photos and “risqué French postcards,” it was noted.

COMO CLEAN UP ON MAY 3
De Sota said the annual Como Clean-Up would be held May 3, 9 a.m. to Noon, starting at Van Cleve Park. A light lunch will be available.

HOUSING PROJECT CHANGES REPORTED
Zoning Committee Chair Joan Menken described changes reported by the developer of student housing in a warehouse building, located at 801 16th and 1599 8th St., as positive. Menken said the developer found in a previous project there was little demand for five-bedroom student housing units. Therefore, this development will provide 2, 3, and 4 bedroom units. The variety offers more flexibility for those who work at the university and for graduate students, she said. There will be 28 rental units. The developer will add two stories, and add parking on the bottom floor.

DUPLEX REMODELED WITHOUT PERMITS
Zoning committee chair Menken reported that the owner of a duplex at 1058-1060 25th Ave. SE remodeled without obtaining city permits. The city denied approval of the remodeling. The owner is appealing. Menken warned that if it is granted, it would lead to remodeling without permits in homes elsewhere.

CONCERN RAISED ABOUT KASOTA PONDS PRESERVATION
Ward 2 Council Member Cam Gordon said he agreed to meet with St. Paul Council Member Russ Stark, who has raised concerns about the easterly SE Como route proposed for the Grand Rounds “missing link” and its possible impact on the nearby Kasota Ponds wetlands in St. Paul.

SECIA board member Lee Hibbard asked Gordon to provide Stark with background information about the route. Gordon asked if someone from SECIA would come to the meeting.

18th AVENUE, FRANKLIN AVENUE RESURFACING
Council Member Gordon reported that Franklin Avenue would be taken off the list of roads to be resurfaced in 2008. This is in addition to removing 18th Ave. SE. Gordon said MNDOT told the city the streets might be eligible for state funding due to their use as reliever routes for I-35W after last year’s bridge collapse.

ENVISIONING INDEPENDENT SE COMO
Board president Wendy Menken said the group is discussing thinking bigger and moving toward more independence from the city. “If we stay under the (current) structure, we’re dead on the vine,” Menken said. The group is looking at ways to make the organization more interesting to external funders. It is investigating the idea of establishing a Green Village foundation.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DAY SET APRIL 22 AT UNIVERSITY
University student affairs coordinator Kendre Turonie announced the second annual Public Engagement Day, 4 6 p.m., April 22, at Coffman Memorial Union. The day will include speakers, workshops, lunch, and an open house. For information and to register, see: www.engagement.umn.edu/public_engagement_day.

U SPRING JAM SET FOR APRIL 21-26
Turonie announced that university student Spring Jam events and entertainment would be held April 21-26. Turonie said police patrols would be increased. Spring Jam information is available at: www.sua.umn.edu/events/springjam/.

SEE COUNCIL MEMBER REPORT ON LINE
A report from Ward 2 Council Member Cam Gordon to Southeast Como is available on-line. See www.secondward.blogspot.com.

APRIL 10 CONCERT ENCOURAGES VOLUNTEERISM
Student board member Jeremiah Peterson announced a campus concert that encourages student volunteerism.

The Minnesota Student Association, in partnership with the Greater Twin Cities United Way, is sponsoring a “Lend a Hand, Hear the Band” concert, April 10, doors open at 6 p.m., Northrop Auditorium, East Bank Campus. “Radio On” will perform at 7 p.m., “Dynamiters” at 8 p.m., and “The Hold Steady” at 9 p.m.

Tickets can be earned by volunteering 10 hours. To register online and for information, go to: www.lendahandheartheband.org. Information is also available by calling United Way at 612 340-7440.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 6, 6:30 p.m., 2008, Van Cleve Park building.

REGULAR MEETINGS: 1st Tuesday of the month, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave. SE.

CONTACT: Office, 837 SE 15th Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55414, phone 612-676-1731, James De Sota, neighborhood coordinator, secomo@secomo.org,
www.secomo.org

last revised: April 3, 2008

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